Aster plant named ‘DASDEBI’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Aster  plant named ‘DASDEBI’, characterized by its upright and inverted conical plant habit; yellow-green and gray-green foliage; decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250 to 300 violet-blue-colored ray florets; and only about 10 to 20 disc florets per inflorescence which are white in color with yellow-orange tips (almost 100% filled capitulae).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Asternovi-belgi (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii).

Variety denomination: ‘DASDEBI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Asterplant, botanically known as Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichumnovi-belgii) of the Asteraceae family, commonly known as MichaelmasDaisy and New York Aster, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivarname ‘DASDEBI’.

The new Aster cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Bent Juhl JENSEN, in Malling, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Aster variety withuniform plant growth habit, unique floret colors, and goodpostproduction longevity.

The new Aster cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in September of 2006, in Malling,Denmark. The female or seed parent is Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIAMATHILDE’ (unpatented, disclosed in pending CPVO Application No.2006/1898). The male or pollen parent is the unpatented Asternovi-belgii seedling selection designated RH 05-108-05. The new Aster‘DASDEBI ’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in September of2007 in a controlled environment in Malling, Denmark. The selection ofthe new Aster ‘DASDEBI’ was based on its uniform plant growth habit anddesirable inflorescence form and ray floret color.

Asexual reproduction of the new Aster cultivar by vegetative tipcuttings was first performed in June of 2007 in Malling, Denmark, andhas demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivarreproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DASDEBI’, which in combination distinguishthis Aster as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright and inverted conical plant habit;    -   2. Yellow-green and gray-green foliage;    -   3. Decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250 to        300 violet-blue-colored ray florets; and    -   4. Only about 10 to 20 disc florets per inflorescence which are        white in color with yellow-orange tips (almost 100% filled        capitulae).

Plants of the new Aster ‘DASDEBI’ differ from plants of female parent,Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’ (unpatented, disclosed in pendingCPVO Application No. 2006/1898) in the characteristics described below:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘DASDEBI’ are more compact than plants of ‘VICTORIA        MATHILDE’;    -   2. Plants of ‘DASDEBI’ produce more ray florets than plants of        ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’; and    -   3. Plants of ‘DASDEBI’ produce violet-blue ray florets whereas        plants of ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’ produce violet-colored ray florets        (RHS N66A).

Plants of the male or pollen parent, the unpatented Aster novi-belgiiseedling selection designated RH 05-108-05, are unavailable to provide abotanical comparison to plants of the new Aster ‘DASDEBI’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Aster ‘DASDEBI’ are 1) Asternovi-belgii ‘VICTORIA FANNY’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,360 andCPVO Grant No. 11804) and 2) Aster novi-belgii ‘MILKA’ (patented, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,602). Plants of the new Aster ‘DASDEBI’ differ fromplants of 1) Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA FANNY’ and 2) Aster novi-belgii‘MILKA’ in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison Cultivar Comparison ‘VICTORIA Cultivar New CultivarFANNY’ ‘MILKA’ Characteristic ‘DASDEBI’ (patented) (patented) LeafShape: Gladiate Lanceolate Elliptic Mature Leaf Yellow-green,Yellow-green, Green, Color (upper RHS 147A RHS 147A RHS 137A surface):to RHS 137B Capitulum Diameter: Diameter: Diameter: Size: 40-60 mm 32.5mm 24-27 mm Ray Florets About 250-300 About 190 ray About 128-164 rayflorets per florets per flower, ray florets per inflorescence, which arenar- flower, which which are flat, rowly obovate in are narrowlyobelliptic in shape, with elliptic in shape, shape, with rounded apexwith acute apex rounded, slightly retuse apex Mature Ray Violet-blue,Violet, Violet, Floret Color RHS 90B RHS 88C RHS 85A (upper surface):Disc Florets: About 10-20 disc About 25-35 disc No disc florets floretsper florets per produced. inflorescence inflorescence Mature Disc White,RHS Yellow-green, N/A Floret Color: 155A, transition- RHS 151B ing toyellow- orange, RHS 17B, at tips

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Aster ‘DASDEBI’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possiblewith colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs maydiffer slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanicaldescription which accurately describe the color of ‘DASDEBI’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of‘DASDEBI’ in a 9.5 cm pot, at 14 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view perspective of a typical matureinflorescence of ‘DASDEBI’, at 14 weeks of age after planting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Aster ‘DASDEBI’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Aster ‘DASDEBI’as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Malling, Denmark, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. ‘DASDEBI’ plants were grown in 9.5 cm pots in a heated andlighted glass-covered greenhouse with the day temperatures ranging from18° C. to 20° C. and the night temperature averaging 18° C. ‘DASDEBI’plants are grown under short day (9 hour) photoperiodic treatments forfive weeks after rooting, followed by long day (20 hour) photoperiodictreatments for five weeks. During the long day (20 hour) photoperiodictreatments, if ambient light level falls below +50 Wm², a supplementarylight at +200 Wm² is applied. ‘DASDEBI’ plants ‘DASDEBI’ plants werepinched twice, and treated twice with the growth retardant Daminozide.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 4th Edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsin Malling, Denmark. The age of the ‘DASDEBI’ plants shown in thephotographs and described herein is about 14 weeks.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum            novi-belgii).-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA MATHILDE’            (unpatented, disclosed in pending CPVO Application No.            2006/1898).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Aster novi-belgii seedling selection            designated RH 05-108-05 (unpatented).

Propagation:

-   -   -   Type.—Vegetative tip cuttings.        -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—Summer: About 12            days at 21° C. Winter: About 13 days at 21° C.        -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous and freely branching.        -   Root color.—Gray-white, close to RHS 156D.

-   Plant description:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Herbaceous, decorative-type            potted or bedding plant with upright plant habit. Aster            inflorescences in composite heads.        -   Growth and branching habit.—Stems upright; inverted conical            plant habit. Appropriate for 9 cm to 15 cm containers.        -   Growth rate/vigor.—Vigourous.        -   Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 22            cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 27 cm.        -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—After            rooting, about 14 weeks are required to produce finished            flowering plants in 9.5 cm pots.

-   Branches:    -   -   Number of branches per plant.—About 27, with 3 cuttings per            pot.        -   Quantity of buds and inflorescence per lateral stem.—1, buds            continue to develop when dead flowers are removed.        -   Branching habit.—Freely after pinching.        -   Length.—About 12 cm (including flowers).        -   Diameter.—About 1 mm to 2 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 9 mm. Range about 5 mm to 14 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Fimbriate with 3–4 longitudinal furrows.        -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 147C.

-   Foliage description:    -   -   Quantity per branch.—About 10 to 14.        -   Arrangement.—Single, alternate , sessile.        -   Length.—Up to 4.5 cm.        -   Width.—Up to 10 mm.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Gladiate.        -   Shape at apex.—Acute.        -   Shape at base.—Decurrent, auriculate ½ clasping.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth, leathery.        -   Pubescence.—Minute scattered hairs along abaxial midvein.        -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-green,            RHS 145A. Under surface: Yellow-green, RHS 144A.        -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS            147A. Under surface: Gray-green, RHS 189A.        -   Venation pattern.—None, but prominent central abaxial vein.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Green, RHS 145B. Under            surface: Gray-green, RHS 189A.

-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Terminal (and few axillary) composite            inflorescences held above and beyond the foliage, with about            250 to 300 flat, obelliptic ray florets and only about 10 to            20 tubular disc florets; ray and disc florets arranged            acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescences face upright and            form is capitulate in corymbose stands.        -   Natural flowering season.—Under natural season conditions,            plants flower in late summer through autumn in Denmark.            Season can be extended by vernalization and long day            treatments.        -   Time to flower.—About 5 to 6 weeks (longevity of individual            inflorescences is dependent on temperature and light            conditions).        -   Postproduction logevity.—Inflorescences maintain good color            and substance for about 27 days on the plant when in an            indoor environment, and may keep longer if temperatures are            maintained below 20° C. Inflorescences persistent.        -   Quantity of inflorescences.—About 27 to 37 buds and open            inflorescences per plant.        -   Fragrance.—Faint.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 10 per week, for 3 weeks after            induction. Length: Up to 5 mm. Diameter: Up to 7 mm. Shape:            Globular. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 147B.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Up to 1 cm. Diameter: 2 mm. Appearance and            angle: About 70° from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture:            Glabrous. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 147C.        -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence (corymb) (height): About 6 to            8 cm. Inflorescence (corymb) diameter About 4 to 6 cm.            Capitulum height: About 1.5 cm. Capitulum diameter: About            2.8 cm.        -   Quantity of flowers (capitulae) per inflorescence            (corymb).—1 capitulae.        -   Ray florets.—Arrangement and quanity: Imbricate, about 250            to 300 ray florets per capitulum in 9 to 12 whorls of ray            florets (depending on light and temperature conditions).            Orientation: Initially upright, later mostly horizontal.            Aspect: Straight to slightly involute. Appearance:            Obelliptic Length: About 11 mm. Width: About 3.5 mm. Overall            shape: Flat, obelliptic. Shape at apex: Rounded, slighlty            retuse. Shape at base: Attenuate, fused. Margin: Entire.            Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, silky.            Pubescence: Subtended by numerous short, about 2 mm, white            hairs. Color (when opening): Upper surface: violet-blue, RHS            90C. Under surface: violet-blue, RHS 91B. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: violet-blue, RHS 90B. Under surface:            violet-blue, RHS 91D. Fading: Yes, violet-blue, RHS 92D.        -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: About 10 to 20 disc florets,            massed at center of capitulum. Length: About 5 mm. Width:            About 2 mm. Disc area diameter: About 5 mm. Overall shape:            Tubular, with 5 triangular tips. Shape at apex: Acute. Shape            at base: Fused to tube. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and            under surfaces: Scale-like, parchment thin. Pubescence:            Subtended by numerous short, about 2 mm, white hairs. Color            (when opening): Upper and under surfaces: White, RHS 155A,            transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS 17B, at tips. Color            (when fully opened): Upper and under surfaces: White, RHS            155A, transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS 17B, at tips.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Involucre, about 40            to 50. Length: About 3 to 6 mm. Width: About 1 to 2 mm.            Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:            Truncate Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Hairy, setulose            edges, verrucose abaxial surface. Color (immature): Upper            surface: Green, RHS 137B. Under surface: Green, RHS 137D.            Color (immature): Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A. Under            surface: Green, RHS 137B.

-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium (on disc florets only).—Stamen number: 5 per            floret; fused around style. Stamen length: About 0.5 mm.            Anther shape: Narrowly cylindrical, somewhat fused. Anther            length: About 0.1 mm. Anther color: Yellow, RHS 8B. Pollen            amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Yellow, RHS 8B.        -   Gynoecium (on disc and ray florets).—Pistil number: 1 per            floret. Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft.            Stigma length: About 0.5 mm. Stigma color: White, RHS N155C.            Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: White, RHS N155D.            Ovary diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary color: White, RHS N155D.

-   Seed: None observed.

-   Fruit: None observed.

-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to    Asters has not been observed on plants grown under commercial    greenhouse conditions.

-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Resistance to pathogens and pests    common to Asters has not been observed on plant grown under    commercial green house conditions, except mildew after flowers wilt.

-   High temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough    water is available, tolerant up to 35° C.

-   Low temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough    water is available, tolerant to −15° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant named ‘DASDEBI’, asillustrated and described herein.